Sideburn haircutting guide

ABSTRACT

A simple, practical, and versatile sideburn haircutting guide arrangement has a base for establishing a frame of reference at the side of the head and a cartridge connected to the base. The cartridge has a distal edge area for establishing a guide for cutting the sideburn hair. The cartridge is easily attached to the stem of glasses that can form the base, via a hook. The cartridge, which has an identifying marker, comes in various configurations. Custom accessories can attach to the cartridge. The custom accessories come in various configurations and allow a professional hair stylist and/or the person who wishes to cut their own sideburns, the opportunity to cut the sideburns to the desired size, shape and configuration.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to hairstyling equipment, and in particular, to a new and useful haircutting guide arrangement having a flat guide useful for cutting sideburns.

[0002] Many people, men more so than women, wish to have their sideburns cut at particular locations, angles and/or shapes.

[0003] The prior art contains several different types of haircutting guides. Most are primarily hand held combs and or clamps that are randomly applied to particular parts of the persons face and or skull. While some can facilitate straight or tapered cuts, they can be cumbersome, awkward and are not ideal for sideburns. These combs and/or clips also do not use landmarks and thus cannot and do not assure symmetrical lengths, shapes and/or angles.

[0004] There are two other prior art concepts that use natural landmarks such as the ears and/or the lips. Again because they are also hand held guides they can be cumbersome and the cuts can be asymmetrical depending on what angle the guide is held at. Due to these inconveniences most if not all professional hair stylist, and those who cut their own sideburns, do not use these guides.

[0005] The standard practice has the professional hairstylist identify a landmark on the customers face, for example a particular part of the ear, and he or she cuts the sideburn in the desired height, angle and shape. Then the stylist turns the customers face and attempts to remember the exact location, angle and shape. Based on their recollection and hand angle the stylist tries to make a symmetrical cut. Very often the stylist cutting the sideburns inadvertently cuts them at different heights, shapes and/or angles. Often the, stylist does not recognize the mistake. The customer recognizes the error either immediately or later, often when they put on their reading and or sunglasses. Either way this inaccuracy leads the customer to have a feeling of disappointment. Individuals who attempt to cut their own sideburns encounter the same problems.

[0006] Some of these and other prior art concepts are illustrated in the following U.S. patents Patent No. Inventor 3,993,083 Torres 4,368,745 McGuffey 4,381,015 Harvath 4,619,280 Yampolskaya 4,768,528 Steele, Jr. 4,867,184 Davis 4,972,584 Baumann 5,067,502 D'Orsi et al. 5,107,869 Henry 5,153,994 Emmett 5,213,116 Stein 5,329,946 Guma 5,456,273 Tungpagasit 5,494,057 Gianfrancesco 5,875,790 Morrison 6,079,421 Tafoya 6,135,123 Grassi et al. 6,267,117 Bisson 6,267,119 Silva 6,397,472 Kayal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are that it provides a guide that assists in cutting sideburns. This guide allows sideburns to be cut evenly in a desired shape, angle and size without having to remember imaginary landmarks. It combines the natural landmarks of the nose and ears along with a device that facilitates a symmetrical cut every time. A stylist and/or the individual who desires to cut their own sideburns can use it.

[0008] Other objects and advantages are that it can be easily applied and removed to any base in seconds. It will facilitate sideburns being cut at any desired height, angle, and/or shape. It will reinforce the science as well as the art to cutting an individuals hair. It will encourage more people to cut their own sideburns. It will encourage experimentation with different style cuts. It will eliminate the disappointment a customer has when they realize their sideburns are not symmetrical and/or at the desired length, shape and/or angle.

[0009] Other objects and advantages are that it is practical and inexpensive yet highly versatile and convenient to use. Other objects and advantages are that it is sanitary, easy to manufacture, readily transportable and readily storable.

[0010] Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

[0011] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a sideburn cartridge with marker along with glasses forming a base, all constructed in accordance with the present invention;

[0014]FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are side views of the sideburn haircutting arrangement of the invention with cartridges of different lengths;

[0015]FIGS. 3A and 3B are side perspective views of the cartridge with and without a custom accessory of the invention;

[0016]FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C are side views of different types of custom accessories;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a side view of a sideburn cartridge of the invention with a custom accessory;

[0018]FIGS. 6A and 6B are respective side and perspective views of alternative embodiments of the cartridge; and

[0019]FIGS. 7A and 7B are respective top and side views of alternative embodiments of a glasses base and cartridge of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basic version of my sideburn haircutting guide arrangement.

[0021] The two main components are a sideburn cartridge 30 and a base, e.g. glasses set 20.

[0022] The cartridge 30 is designed to attach to a stem or temple 25 of the glasses 20. A proximal portion 28 of the stem 25, ends with an ear stabilizer 27 for support on the ear schematically shown at 10 in FIG. 1, of a person who's sideburns are to be cut.

[0023] A distal portion 26 of the stem attaches to a frame 24. The frame 24 contains a lens 22. The frame 24 also attaches to a nosepiece 21, which attaches to an adjacent mirror image frame 24.

[0024] More generally, glasses 20 can be replaced by any base that is supportable at about ear-level on the side of the face, and which established a frame of reference, such as a generally horizontal supporting structure for my invention.

[0025] Examples include nonfunctional glasses sets with no lenses, headphone style frames for going over the head or around the front or back of the head, cantilever structures held at about the top junction between the ear and the head and which include a substantially horizontal beam that extends forwardly of the ear, at the side of the head, or any other such base structures that is capable of establishing the same frame of reference on both sides of the person's head.

[0026]FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are side views of the sideburn cartridge 30 in three different sizes. A marker 34, e.g. the numerals “1”, “2”, “3”, or the like, are printed or formed on a visible side surface 35 of each cartridge 30 in these figures. Each marker is associated with a characteristic of the cartridge, e.g. the length of the cartridge for cutting hair to that length.

[0027]FIGS. 3A and 3B show the cartridge 30, respectively without and with a custom accessory 37 which is detachably connected at the bottom of the cartridge 30. Each cartridge 30 has a distal or lower edge area 31, which is tapered, and a proximal or upper edge area 32 which continues on a posterior surface 36 as a stem hook 33 for engaging over the stem 25 of the glasses 20 or other base structure of the invention. The distal edge 31 of the cartridge 30 snugly attaches to the custom accessory 37 at a custom accessory proximal edge 38. The custom accessory tapers at a distal or custom trim guide edge 39.

[0028]FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C are side views of three different custom accessories 37A, 37B and 37C, each having a differently shaped trim edge 39 and each detachably connectable to the lower edge area 31 of the cartridge 30. This connection can be made via hoop-and-loop fastening tapes (e.g. Velcro brand tapes) on the matting surfaces of the edge areas 31 and 38, tongue-and-groove sliding structures between the edge areas, a clamping fork, clip or clamp on one of the edge areas for holding the other, or any other detachable connection.

[0029]FIG. 5 shows the sideburn marker “3” with the custom accessory 37C attached to the cartridge 30.

[0030] Operation:

[0031] The glasses 20 will lie on a persons face. The nosepiece 21 will lie on the persons nose. The proximal stems 28 will lie on the person's ears, or more correctly, on the top junction between the ear 10 and the side of the person's head. The frames 24 and the lens 22 will provide a pleasant and safe appearance. The ear stabilizers 27 will lie behind the ears. The posterior surface 36 of the cartridge 30 will easily hook onto the stem 25 via the stem hook 33. The marker 34 on the frontal surface 35 will identify a particular size cartridge 30 to be used. Depending on the desired length, shape and or style a person can identify the marker 34 and easily attach that particular cartridge 30 to the stem 33. The cartridges 30 can easily be removed. The distal edge 31 of the cartridge 30 is tapered to facilitate cutting the sideburns. The cartridge 30 can be used alone or with the custom accessory 37. The distal edge 31 of the cartridge 30, can also receive the custom accessory 37 by joining snugly with the custom accessory proximal edge 38. The custom accessory distal edge 39 is also tapered to facilitate cutting the sideburns to a selected custom shape. The side burns can be cut with scissors, clippers or any other known devices used to cut hair.

[0032] Alternative Embodiments:

[0033] There are various possibilities with regard to the cartridge 30. It can attach to the stem 25 via various known attachment methods such as snaps, clips, hooks, grooves, Velcro fasteners, or other know methods of attachment (Velcro is a trademark). The stem can be configured in such a way as to allow the cartridge to slide within the stem via various different known mechanisms.

[0034] The cartridge can be made of plastic, wood, metal and/or any other suitable material. The distal edge 31 can be flat or tapered on either the frontal surface 35 or posterior surface 36. It can have a clamp, grip or any other known device that would hold and/or secure the hair that is to be cut.

[0035] The cartridge can contain more than one stem hook 33 or other methods of attachment. This would allow one cartridge 30 the opportunity to serve as a guide for several different sideburn lengths. This would require several different markers 34 on the frontal surface 35. FIGS. 6A and FIG. 6B are views of this alternative embodiment. The cartridge 30 could also hook onto the ear via various different hooks, clamps and or any other known mechanisms. This would alleviate the need for the glasses 20. In order to assure symmetry is would be ideal to have another leveling base or mechanism for establishing a mirror image but otherwise identical frame of reference for the other side of the person's head.

[0036] The cartridge 30 can come permanently attached to the base. This format would require, either individually or in combination:

[0037] 1. A cartridge 30 that can expand and retract to different lengths, shapes and or sizes.

[0038] 2. A cartridge 30 that can slide on the stem 25 via various different mechanisms. FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively show a top view and a side view of this alternative embodiment. The stem 25 has a hollow center with medial and lateral supports to allow movement of the cartridge 30. The cartridge 30 has several different markers 34.

[0039] 3. A need to have multiple glasses 20 and cartridges 30 combinations with the cartridges 30 coming in different sizes.

[0040] 4. Custom accessories 37 of various shapes and/or lengths.

[0041] The glasses set 20 are the preferred base because of their pleasant appearance, simple design and wide access. It uses the nose and ears, which are natural landmarks. The base, however, can be any device or structure which uses any and/or all of the natural landmarks of the face and skull.

[0042] The custom accessory 37 can come in countless sizes, shapes and lengths. It can attach to the distal edge 31 of the cartridge either permanently or temporarily via various, different known mechanisms. The distal edge 39 can be flat and/or tapered on the frontal 35 and/or posterior surfaces 36. It can contain a clamp, grip or any other known device to hold and secure the hair.

[0043] Conclusion, Ramifications and Scope:

[0044] Accordingly, the reader will see that the sideburn haircutting guide arrangement of this invention can be used easily and conveniently, can be removed and adapted just as easily without sacrificing time and/or quality. It will assure symmetrical sideburn cuts that are the size, shape and angle that were desired. In addition, it is inexpensive, versatile and practical. It is sanitary and easy to manufacture, as well as being easily transportable and storable.

[0045] While my above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as an exemplification of one preferred embodiment thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example the cartridge can come in various sizes, shapes, configurations, colors and/or materials. It can come in one solid piece and/or a combination of a solid piece with expanding parts and/or ends. It can come temporally or permanently attached to a base. It can attach to the base via various different mechanisms. It can come as a hand held device with or without a base. It can come with a clamp and other hair griping mechanisms.

[0046] The custom accessories can come in various sizes, shapes, configurations, colors and/or materials. It can come either permanently or temporally attached to the cartridge. It can even be deleted. It can come with a clamp or other hair griping mechanisms. It can attach to the cartridge and/or the stem via various different mechanisms.

[0047] The glasses base can come in various different sizes, shapes, configurations, colors, and materials. It can have various different methods for attachment to the cartridge. It can come with various different stems. It can come with or without lenses. It does not have to have a glasses base; it could be any base system that holds the cartridge in the desired location. The base can attach to the ears, the head, the neck or any other natural landmark. The base can be handheld.

[0048] Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

[0049] While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sideburn haircutting guide arrangement comprising: a base for establishing a frame of reference at the side of the head of a person who's sideburn hair is to be cut; and a cartridge connected to the base, the cartridge having a distal edge area for establishing a guide for cutting the sideburn hair.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1, including first attachment means for detachably connecting the cartridge to the base.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 2, including a plurality of cartridges each having a different length from a point of attachment of the base to the cartridge, and the distal edge area.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3, including at least one custom accessory having a custom guide for cutting the sideburn hair, and second attachment means for detachably connecting the custom accessory to the distal edge area of the cartridge.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 4, including at least one marker on a visible surface of each cartridge for indicating a unique characteristic of each cartridge.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1, including at least one marker on a visible surface of the cartridge for indicating a unique characteristic of the cartridge.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 1, a plurality of vertically spaced attachment means for detachably connecting the cartridge to the base at a plurality of different vertically spaced position.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, including a plurality of markers on a visible surface of the cartridge, each associated with one of the attachment means for indicating a unique characteristic of the cartridge when attached to the base by each respective attachment means.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the frame of reference formed by the base is a substantially horizontal line extending forwardly of an ear of the person who's sideburn hair is to be cut.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the base includes means for engaging at the ear of the person.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the base is a glasses set having a stem for engaging the ear and a frame for engaging a nose of the person.
 12. An arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the attachment means comprised a hook on the base for engaging the stem.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 12, including a plurality of cartridges each having a different length from a point of attachment of the base to the cartridge, and the distal edge area.
 14. An arrangement according to claim 13, including at least one custom accessory having a custom guide for cutting the sideburn hair, and second attachment means for detachably connecting the custom accessory to the distal edge area of the cartridge.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14, including at least one marker on a visible surface of each cartridge for indicating a unique characteristic of each cartridge.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 12, including at least one marker on a visible surface of the cartridge for indicating a unique characteristic of the cartridge.
 17. An arrangement according to claim 12, a plurality of vertically spaced hooks for detachably connecting the cartridge to the stem at a plurality of different vertically spaced position.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 17, including a plurality of markers on a visible surface of the cartridge, each associated with one of the hooks for indicating a unique characteristic of the cartridge when attached to the base by each respective hook.
 19. An arrangement according to claim 1, including attachment means for connecting the cartridge to the base at a plurality of different vertical locations.
 20. An arrangement according to claim 19, including a plurality of markers on a visible surface of the cartridge, each associated with one locations. 